Re: [Histonet] ASCP Exam

[Jennifer MacDonald]

California does not have state licensure for histotechs.  There is no 
regulation that histotechs even have to be certified, but many of the 
facilities will only hire certified technicians. 
The NSH has a list of study materials at 
http://www.nsh.org/content/certification-exam-study-aids





Bharti Parihar  
Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
04/10/2012 03:50 PM

To
Histonet Archive 
cc

Subject
[Histonet] ASCP Exam






Hello fellow histonetters!!!   I have begun studying for the ASCP HT exam.
Any guidance/studying suggestions/study booklets/tactics you can throw out
at me would be greatly appreciated. Any recent exam takers out there?  Oh
yeah, and also, since I am planning on relocating to California, does
anyone know if that state has it's own state licensure? Thanks again!!
-Bharti Parihar
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors

[Carlos Hernandez]

I use the Milestone Pathos Delta in my Dermpath lab and have had amazing 
results. As long as you follow their recommendations for processing times it 
works out perfectly. I am able to do small biopsies in as little as an hour and 
twenty minutes or big excisions in 3-4 hours with great results. Obviously I 
prefer Milestone over Pathos, but a couple of big reasons is because you are 
not limited to 3mm sections, you can process big and small tissue together 
using times for big tissue and it will not destroy your small biopsies, it's 
completely automated(no fixing and pre-process solution before loading on 
processor and you are not REQUIRED to use their proprietary reagents(although 
they are really good as well). 
This is just my personal opinion from using it in a Derm only practice. 
One last thing is that the customer service and attention they give to the 
customer is second to none. 

Hope this helps! Good luck!!

Carlos

On Apr 10, 2012, at 1:07 PM, joelle weaver  wrote:

> 
> I have used the Sakura and Milestone( original offerings from some time ago 
> and  also later models). The variables are changed from conventional 
> processing, and so you have to think about different things. When I have 
> worked places that tried to transition to MW from conventional, the trouble 
> starts when they try to design the programs like a conventional processor. My 
> *theory*, which is based on some research over the last 5 years and as 
> referenced by published literature on MW use in pathology, has to do with the 
> polarity ( molecular composition) and the water content. The effect is more 
> molecular than physical. You do have to customize for this with more detailed 
> programs to get the best results in my experience. Dimensions and thickness 
> are even more important than in conventional. Once you get over the change 
> hurdle, it works ok and saves loads of time, decreases turn around and lets 
> you move your staff in desirable ways. There is a revision of the CLSI MW 
> guidelines that hopefully will get out there soon. I think when this is out 
> it will help explain and help those wanting to use MW processors to improve 
> TAT without tissue effects. In the meantime, I just did some basic literature 
> searches and this really cleared up my understanding of the process and has 
> helped me with programming these instruments.Joelle
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
>> Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:36:00 -0400
>> From: caroline.pr...@uphs.upenn.edu
>> To: j...@cdc.gov; erin.mar...@ucsf.edu; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors
>> CC: 
>> 
>> We cannot say the same, we had issues with shaves appearing "cooked".
>> We had specialists out several times and after many suggestions, nothing
>> resolved the issue.  It doesn't happen consistently but it definitely
>> happens and we even attempted to track by tech or shifts or when the
>> solutions were changed and no patterns could be found after several
>> years.  Sakura has a new vendor for reagents now and they are going to
>> come run some test slides but the VIP quality for derm keeps the
>> pathologists much happier based on our experience.
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
>> Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:14 PM
>> To: Martin, Erin; histonet
>> Subject: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors
>> 
>> Erin,
>> 
>> We have Sakura's Xpress and skins have always turned out just fine for
>> us. It is very easy to use and maintain. 
>> 
>> Jeanine H. Bartlett
>> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
>> Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
>> 404-639-3590
>> jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Martin,
>> Erin
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:38 AM
>> To: histonet
>> Subject: [Histonet] Microwave processors
>> 
>> Hi histonetters!
>> 
>> Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are
>> again looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience,
>> I'm not enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their
>> microwave processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good
>> rapid derm processing protocol on a conventional processor?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you so much!
>> 
>> Erin
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
>> UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
>> 415-353-7248
>> 
>> Confidentiality Notice
>> The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
>> which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or priviledged
>> material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
>> taking of any actin in reliance upon, this information by persons or
>> entities other than the intended recipient is

Re: [Histonet] Histobath

[jsjurczak]

Clini -RF from Hacker is nice cuz it sits on the floor next to the cryostat at 
working height. Gets a lot colder too. 





- Original Message -


From: "Bernice Frederick"  
To: "Patsy Ruegg" , "Margaret' 'Sherwood" 
, "Marilyn A Weiss" , 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2012 7:45:38 AM 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histobath 

Fisher owns Shandon. Part of Thermo-fisher. 

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP) 
Senior Research Tech 
Pathology Core Facility 
ECOGPCO-RL 
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center 
Northwestern University 
710 N Fairbanks Court 
Olson 8-421 
Chicago,IL 60611 
312-503-3723 
b-freder...@northwestern.edu 

-Original Message- 
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Patsy Ruegg 
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2012 2:16 PM 
To: 'Sherwood, Margaret'; marilyn.a.we...@kp.org; 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histobath 

Is Shandon still around, I never see them anymore? 

Patsy Ruegg, HT(ASCP)QIHC 
IHCtech 
12635 Montview Blvd. Ste.215 
Aurora, CO 80045 
720-859-4060 
fax 720-859-4110 
www.ihctech.net 
www.ihcrg.org 


-Original Message- 
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sherwood, 
Margaret 
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 12:52 PM 
To: 'marilyn.a.we...@kp.org'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Histobath 

I googled Histobath and Shandon sells them, plus some other on-line 
companies.  Check it out. 


Peggy Sherwood 
Research Specialist, Photopathology 
Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214) 
Massachusetts General Hospital 
50 Blossom Street 
Boston, MA 02114-2696 
617-724-4839 (voice mail) 
617-726-6983 (lab) 
617-726-1206 (fax) 
msherw...@partners.org 

-Original Message- 
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
marilyn.a.we...@kp.org 
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 2:40 PM 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: [Histonet] Histobath 

We are desperately looking for a Histobath. I know they do not make them 
anymore but if someone has a old one they are not using or a company can 
get their hands on one, we would be eternally  grateful. Our Lab Manager 
would prefer we do not us Liquid Nitrogen. We love the Histobaths we have 
now. 
Marilyn Weiss HT (ASCP) cm 
Kaiser Permanente Hospital 
San Diego, Ca 
marilyn.a.we...@kp.org 

NOTICE TO RECIPIENT:  If you are not the intended recipient of this 
e-mail, you are prohibited from sharing, copying, or otherwise using or 
disclosing its contents.  If you have received this e-mail in error, 
please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently 
delete this e-mail and any attachments without reading, forwarding or 
saving them.  Thank you. 
___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 


The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is 
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the 
e-mail 
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance 
HelpLine at 
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in 
error 
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and 
properly 
dispose of the e-mail. 


___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 


___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 

___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] TBS ATP1

[ricky hachy]

Hello everybody, I am looking for the SERVICE MANUAL for the Tissue Processor 
TBS ATP1 . Could anyone help me .  RegardsRicky 
  
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Davide Costanzo]

>
> > Less screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue = less prostate cancers
> caught early = more deaths to prostate cancers.
>
> Would you not agree?
>
According to the study referenced earlier, just the opposite is true.
Increased utilization arising from in-house laboratories has proven to be
less effective, and much more costly than their traditional counterparts.
No benefit to the patient at all, actually a detriment. The best results
still come from outfits owned and operated by pathologists and/or
hospitals, and at a significantly lower cost.

>
> And for all those advocating closure of private labs, do you also feel the
> same way about private pathologist owned labs who reep the benefits of
> getting all the out PT work from affiliated physicians while they also get
> a fee to serve as medical directors of hospital labs and get the pc portion
> of hospital work of which they can order as many test they want so they get
> the pc portion while the hospital gets the tc and all the big bills
> associated with doing the test making it hard on tax payer as well because
> so much in a hospital is already subsidize by the gov.
>
Private labs outside of the hospital, owned by pathologists, do not
represent the group of non-pathologist owned in-office labs we have
discussed. There are no complaints arising over pure pathology labs,
operated by pathologists. The complaints are in reference to private labs
within a GI clinic, or in a urologists' office, etc.

>
>



Is what you really want is to have all pathologist as employees of the
> hospitals? And have the hospital bill global.
>
Doctors in hospital settings are very rarely employed by the hospital, with
the exception being academia. In most cases, the pathology group handles
their own billing for professional fees. Just like radiologists, surgeons,
anaesthesiologists and most others working in a hospital are not employed
by that hospital.

>
> And a few walmart like reference labs
>
> I'm just curious as to the exact position of some on here.
>
> Thanks
>
> Kim
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 10, 2012, at 2:39 PM, "Morken, Timothy" <
> timothy.mor...@ucsfmedctr.org> wrote:
>
> > Not surprising since our health care system is biased to pay for tests
> and treatments, not results. On top of this there are serious questions as
> to whether the PSA screening that leads to biopsies is useful in the long
> term. There is a recommendation out there to stop PSA screening for most
> men since it is largely  non-specific. That test is what leads to the
> biopsies. Less screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue.
> >
> > Tim Morken
> >
> >
> >
> > -Original Message-
> > From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
> histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Daniel Schneider
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:22 AM
> > To: Histonet
> > Subject: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ
> >
> > The Wall Street Journal served up a timely article for us.
> > You'll see both sides of the argument below. One side is right.
> >
> > DLS
> >
> > HEALTH INDUSTRY
> > April 9, 2012, 7:22 p.m. ET
> > Prostate-Test Fees Challenged
> >
> > By CHRISTOPHER WEAVER
> > Doctors in urology groups that profit from tests for prostate cancer
> order more of them than doctors who send samples to independent
> laboratories, according to a study Monday in the journal Health Affairs.
> >
> > The study found that doctors' practices that do their own lab work bill
> the federal Medicare program for analyzing 72% more prostate tissue samples
> per biopsy while detecting fewer cases of cancer than counterparts who send
> specimens to outside labs.
> >
> > Hiring pathologists boosts revenue for a practice and creates a
> potential incentive to increase the number of tests ordered, said Jean
> Mitchell, a Georgetown University economist and author of the study.
> >
> > That fewer cancers were detected-21% versus 35% for those sent to
> external labs, according to the study-suggests "financial incentives"
> > may play a role in decisions to order the tests, Ms. Mitchell said.
> >
> > Some urologists said the research doesn't necessarily indicate financial
> motives. Urologists in larger group practices that have in-house
> pathologists may be more aggressive in testing because they seek to catch
> cancer earlier, said Steven Schlossberg, a Yale urologist who heads a
> health-policy panel for the American Urological Association and wasn't
> involved in the research. Also, Dr. Schlossberg noted, the figures, which
> cover 36,261 biopsies from 2005 through 2007, are five years old.
> >
> > The study was financed by the College of American Pathologists and the
> American Clinical Laboratory Association. It is the last salvo in a turf
> war between laboratory companies and physician groups that have opened
> their own labs to conduct tests.
> >
> > Regulators and economists scrutinizing the growing costs of health care
> have targeted a range of related activities by doctors, 

[Histonet] RE: Flammable cabinets

[Schumacher, Jennifer J]

In my experience, restrictions are determined by fire codes and "zones".  I 
would talk to your safety officer or facilities, or a local fire marshal.  
Jennifer

Jennifer Schumacher, MA, HTL (ASCP) Hematopathology Supervisor I University of 
Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview I Phone 612-273-3229 I Fax 612-624-6662 I 
Pager 612-899-9295 I Address L227-2 MMC 198, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, 
MN 55455 I Email jschu...@fairview.org


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sherwood, 
Margaret
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:30 PM
To: 'Vickroy, Jim'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Flammable cabinets

We are a research lab and usually the restrictions apply to flammables outside 
the cabinet.  I believe they don't want more than 100-150ml of any one 
flammable.  I don't think there is a restriction to what's stored inside 
one--probably depends upon the size of the cabinet.

Peggy 


Peggy Sherwood
Research Specialist, Photopathology
Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214)
Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114-2696
617-724-4839 (voice mail)
617-726-6983 (lab)
617-726-1206 (fax)
msherw...@partners.org

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Vickroy, Jim
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:57 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Flammable cabinets


Can anybody explain how much alcohol or other flammables we can store in a 
flammable cabinet in a room?  I have read the CAP guidelines and am still 
confused.  Do the CAP guidelines  only have to do with stored reagents outside 
of a flammable cabinet?
What am I missing?

James Vickroy BS, HT(ASCP)

Surgical  and Autopsy Pathology Technical Supervisor
Memorial Medical Center
217-788-4046



This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information 
intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you 
are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message. Any disclosure, 
copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on 
it, is strictly prohibited.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Processing Autopsies

[Kim Donadio]

Brains in particular need to be fixed real well If it's a whole brain what I've 
done is hang the brain by a mesh or strings into a large brain bucket so it's 
not touching the sides or bottom. Fix for few days then get you sections. I'd 
go textbook on the  3 mm thick sections for processing and don't over process 
that will cause them to be friable. Hate that. Try a few blocks a couple 
different ways and what kind of alcohol are you using? Reagent grade is fine. 
For processing well fixed brain I've had good success with a straight 30 min 
for every thing. Hope this helps 
Kim D 

I'm out :)

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 7:14 PM, Meryl Roberts  wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> Our lab processes a high number of autopsies; however we always seem to have 
> tissue that needs to be reprocessed; particularly brains. Does anyone out 
> there have any suggestions as to what an optimal processing cycle would be? 
> We are finding it hard to find a happy medium as there always seems to be 
> something that is underprocessed, or sometimes even overprocessed. Thanks.
>   ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Processing Autopsies

[Meryl Roberts]

Our lab processes a high number of autopsies; however we always seem to have 
tissue that needs to be reprocessed; particularly brains. Does anyone out there 
have any suggestions as to what an optimal processing cycle would be? We are 
finding it hard to find a happy medium as there always seems to be something 
that is underprocessed, or sometimes even overprocessed. Thanks.
   ___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Labeling specimens in the OR

[Kim Donadio]

If you want barcodes on tour specimens directly from the or. Have your HIS 
system interfaced with your pathology information system. That way when path 
gets your specimen they just scan the bar code and the patients data drops into 
thier path system. Depending on the system you get path should be able to track 
specimens coming to them. 

My favorite system I've used so far has been Cerner copath. It was pretty easy 
to use. I'm sure there are other good ones though. Hope this helps
Kim D

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 5:52 PM, Arlene Prescott  wrote:

> Does anyone have  experience with the labeling and bar coding of surgical 
> pathology specimens in the OR? 
> 
> Please send your experience to apres...@jhmi.edu
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Kim Donadio]

A key government health panel has decided it says. 
Ok. I give. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 5:48 PM, "Morken, Timothy"  
wrote:

> From the New York Times:
> 
> 1)
> U.S. Panel Says No to Prostate Screening for Healthy Men
> By GARDINER HARRIS
> Published: October 6, 2011 
> 
> 
> Healthy men should no longer receive a P.S.A. blood test to screen for 
> prostate cancer because the test does not save lives over all and often leads 
> to more tests and treatments that needlessly cause pain, impotence and 
> incontinence in many, a key government health panel has decided. 
> 
> The draft recommendation, by the United States Preventive Services Task Force 
> and due for official release next week, is based on the results of five 
> well-controlled clinical trials and could substantially change the care given 
> to men 50 and older. There are 44 million such men in the United States, and 
> 33 million of them have already had a P.S.A. test - sometimes without their 
> knowledge - during routine physicals. 
> 
> The task force's recommendations are followed by most medical groups. Two 
> years ago the task force recommended that women in their 40s should no longer 
> get routine mammograms, setting off a firestorm of controversy. The 
> recommendation to avoid the P.S.A. test is even more forceful and applies to 
> healthy men of all ages. 
> 
> "Unfortunately, the evidence now shows that this test does not save men's 
> lives," said Dr. Virginia Moyer, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College 
> of Medicine and chairwoman of the task force. "This test cannot tell the 
> difference between cancers that will and will not affect a man during his 
> natural lifetime. We need to find one that does." 
> 
> Article continues
> 
> 
> 2)
> 
> 
> Prostate Test Found to Save Few Lives 
> By GINA KOLATA
> Published: March 18, 2009 
> The PSA blood test, used to screen for prostate cancer, saves few lives and 
> leads to risky and unnecessary treatments for large numbers of men, two large 
> studies have found. 
> 
> 
> Mortality Results from a Randomized Prostate-Cancer Screening Trial (The New 
> England Journal of Medicine) 
> Screening and Prostate-Cancer Mortality in a Randomized European Study (The 
> New England Journal of Medicine) 
> 
> 
> The findings, the first based on rigorous, randomized studies, confirm some 
> longstanding concerns about the wisdom of widespread prostate cancer 
> screening. Although the studies are continuing, results so far are considered 
> significant and the most definitive to date.
> 
> The PSA test, which measures a protein released by prostate cells, does what 
> it is supposed to do - indicates a cancer might be present, leading to 
> biopsies to determine if there is a tumor. But it has been difficult to know 
> whether finding prostate cancer early saves lives. Most of the cancers tend 
> to grow very slowly and are never a threat and, with the faster-growing ones, 
> even early diagnosis might be too late. 
> 
> The studies - one in Europe and the other in the United States - are "some of 
> the most important studies in the history of men's health," said Dr. Otis 
> Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. 
> 
> In the European study, 48 men were told they had prostate cancer and 
> needlessly treated for it for every man whose death was prevented within a 
> decade after having had a PSA test. 
> 
> Dr. Peter B. Bach, a physician and epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering 
> Cancer Center, says one way to think of the data is to suppose he has a PSA 
> test today. It leads to a biopsy that reveals he has prostate cancer, and he 
> is treated for it. There is a one in 50 chance that, in 2019 or later, he 
> will be spared death from a cancer that would otherwise have killed him. And 
> there is a 49 in 50 chance that he will have been treated unnecessarily for a 
> cancer that was never a threat to his life. 
> 
> Article continues
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Kim Donadio [mailto:one_angel_sec...@yahoo.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 2:33 PM
> To: Morken, Timothy
> Cc: Daniel Schneider; Histonet
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ
> 
>> Less screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue = less prostate cancers 
>> caught early = more deaths to prostate cancers. 
> 
> Would you not agree? 
> 
> And for all those advocating closure of private labs, do you also feel the 
> same way about private pathologist owned labs who reep the benefits of 
> getting all the out PT work from affiliated physicians while they also get a 
> fee to serve as medical directors of hospital labs and get the pc portion of 
> hospital work of which they can order as many test they want so they get the 
> pc portion while the hospital gets the tc and all the big bills associated 
> with doing the test making it hard on tax payer as well because so much in a 
> hospital is already subsidize by the gov. 
> 
> Is what you really w

RE: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Tony Henwood (SCHN)]

I find it interesting (and slightly amusing) that a professor of pediatrics is 
chairwoman of the task force on PSA testing.

After my early publications on PSA IPXs, I thought that I was over that now I 
am in a Children's Hospital. Now I am not so sure!

Regards 
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) 
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist 
Tel: 612 9845 3306 
Fax: 612 9845 3318 
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Morken, Timothy
Sent: Wednesday, 11 April 2012 7:49 AM
To: Kim Donadio
Cc: Histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

>From the New York Times:

1)
U.S. Panel Says No to Prostate Screening for Healthy Men By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: October 6, 2011 


Healthy men should no longer receive a P.S.A. blood test to screen for prostate 
cancer because the test does not save lives over all and often leads to more 
tests and treatments that needlessly cause pain, impotence and incontinence in 
many, a key government health panel has decided. 

The draft recommendation, by the United States Preventive Services Task Force 
and due for official release next week, is based on the results of five 
well-controlled clinical trials and could substantially change the care given 
to men 50 and older. There are 44 million such men in the United States, and 33 
million of them have already had a P.S.A. test - sometimes without their 
knowledge - during routine physicals. 

The task force's recommendations are followed by most medical groups. Two years 
ago the task force recommended that women in their 40s should no longer get 
routine mammograms, setting off a firestorm of controversy. The recommendation 
to avoid the P.S.A. test is even more forceful and applies to healthy men of 
all ages. 

"Unfortunately, the evidence now shows that this test does not save men's 
lives," said Dr. Virginia Moyer, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of 
Medicine and chairwoman of the task force. "This test cannot tell the 
difference between cancers that will and will not affect a man during his 
natural lifetime. We need to find one that does." 

Article continues


2)


Prostate Test Found to Save Few Lives
By GINA KOLATA
Published: March 18, 2009
The PSA blood test, used to screen for prostate cancer, saves few lives and 
leads to risky and unnecessary treatments for large numbers of men, two large 
studies have found. 


Mortality Results from a Randomized Prostate-Cancer Screening Trial (The New 
England Journal of Medicine) Screening and Prostate-Cancer Mortality in a 
Randomized European Study (The New England Journal of Medicine) 


The findings, the first based on rigorous, randomized studies, confirm some 
longstanding concerns about the wisdom of widespread prostate cancer screening. 
Although the studies are continuing, results so far are considered significant 
and the most definitive to date.

The PSA test, which measures a protein released by prostate cells, does what it 
is supposed to do - indicates a cancer might be present, leading to biopsies to 
determine if there is a tumor. But it has been difficult to know whether 
finding prostate cancer early saves lives. Most of the cancers tend to grow 
very slowly and are never a threat and, with the faster-growing ones, even 
early diagnosis might be too late. 

The studies - one in Europe and the other in the United States - are "some of 
the most important studies in the history of men's health," said Dr. Otis 
Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. 

In the European study, 48 men were told they had prostate cancer and needlessly 
treated for it for every man whose death was prevented within a decade after 
having had a PSA test. 

Dr. Peter B. Bach, a physician and epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering 
Cancer Center, says one way to think of the data is to suppose he has a PSA 
test today. It leads to a biopsy that reveals he has prostate cancer, and he is 
treated for it. There is a one in 50 chance that, in 2019 or later, he will be 
spared death from a cancer that would otherwise have killed him. And there is a 
49 in 50 chance that he will have been treated unnecessarily for a cancer that 
was never a threat to his life. 

Article continues

-Original Message-
From: Kim Donadio [mailto:one_angel_sec...@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 2:33 PM
To: Morken, Timothy
Cc: Daniel Schneider; Histonet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

> Less screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue = less prostate cancers caught 
> early = more deaths to prostate cancers. 

Would you not agree? 

And for all those advocating closure of private labs, do you also feel the same 
way about private pathologist owned labs who reep t

[Histonet] ASCP Exam

[Bharti Parihar]

Hello fellow histonetters!!!   I have begun studying for the ASCP HT exam.
Any guidance/studying suggestions/study booklets/tactics you can throw out
at me would be greatly appreciated. Any recent exam takers out there?  Oh
yeah, and also, since I am planning on relocating to California, does
anyone know if that state has it's own state licensure? Thanks again!!
-Bharti Parihar
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Morken, Timothy]

>From the New York Times:

1)
U.S. Panel Says No to Prostate Screening for Healthy Men
By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: October 6, 2011 


Healthy men should no longer receive a P.S.A. blood test to screen for prostate 
cancer because the test does not save lives over all and often leads to more 
tests and treatments that needlessly cause pain, impotence and incontinence in 
many, a key government health panel has decided. 

The draft recommendation, by the United States Preventive Services Task Force 
and due for official release next week, is based on the results of five 
well-controlled clinical trials and could substantially change the care given 
to men 50 and older. There are 44 million such men in the United States, and 33 
million of them have already had a P.S.A. test - sometimes without their 
knowledge - during routine physicals. 

The task force's recommendations are followed by most medical groups. Two years 
ago the task force recommended that women in their 40s should no longer get 
routine mammograms, setting off a firestorm of controversy. The recommendation 
to avoid the P.S.A. test is even more forceful and applies to healthy men of 
all ages. 

"Unfortunately, the evidence now shows that this test does not save men's 
lives," said Dr. Virginia Moyer, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of 
Medicine and chairwoman of the task force. "This test cannot tell the 
difference between cancers that will and will not affect a man during his 
natural lifetime. We need to find one that does." 

Article continues


2)


Prostate Test Found to Save Few Lives 
By GINA KOLATA
Published: March 18, 2009 
The PSA blood test, used to screen for prostate cancer, saves few lives and 
leads to risky and unnecessary treatments for large numbers of men, two large 
studies have found. 


Mortality Results from a Randomized Prostate-Cancer Screening Trial (The New 
England Journal of Medicine) 
Screening and Prostate-Cancer Mortality in a Randomized European Study (The New 
England Journal of Medicine) 


The findings, the first based on rigorous, randomized studies, confirm some 
longstanding concerns about the wisdom of widespread prostate cancer screening. 
Although the studies are continuing, results so far are considered significant 
and the most definitive to date.

The PSA test, which measures a protein released by prostate cells, does what it 
is supposed to do - indicates a cancer might be present, leading to biopsies to 
determine if there is a tumor. But it has been difficult to know whether 
finding prostate cancer early saves lives. Most of the cancers tend to grow 
very slowly and are never a threat and, with the faster-growing ones, even 
early diagnosis might be too late. 

The studies - one in Europe and the other in the United States - are "some of 
the most important studies in the history of men's health," said Dr. Otis 
Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. 

In the European study, 48 men were told they had prostate cancer and needlessly 
treated for it for every man whose death was prevented within a decade after 
having had a PSA test. 

Dr. Peter B. Bach, a physician and epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering 
Cancer Center, says one way to think of the data is to suppose he has a PSA 
test today. It leads to a biopsy that reveals he has prostate cancer, and he is 
treated for it. There is a one in 50 chance that, in 2019 or later, he will be 
spared death from a cancer that would otherwise have killed him. And there is a 
49 in 50 chance that he will have been treated unnecessarily for a cancer that 
was never a threat to his life. 

Article continues

-Original Message-
From: Kim Donadio [mailto:one_angel_sec...@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 2:33 PM
To: Morken, Timothy
Cc: Daniel Schneider; Histonet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

> Less screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue = less prostate cancers caught 
> early = more deaths to prostate cancers. 

Would you not agree? 

And for all those advocating closure of private labs, do you also feel the same 
way about private pathologist owned labs who reep the benefits of getting all 
the out PT work from affiliated physicians while they also get a fee to serve 
as medical directors of hospital labs and get the pc portion of hospital work 
of which they can order as many test they want so they get the pc portion while 
the hospital gets the tc and all the big bills associated with doing the test 
making it hard on tax payer as well because so much in a hospital is already 
subsidize by the gov. 

Is what you really want is to have all pathologist as employees of the 
hospitals? And have the hospital bill global. 

And a few walmart like reference labs

I'm just curious as to the exact position of some on here. 

Thanks 

Kim
Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 2:39 PM, "Morken, Timothy"  
wrote:

> Not surprising since our health care system is biased to

[Histonet] Labeling specimens in the OR

[Arlene Prescott]

Does anyone have  experience with the labeling and bar coding of surgical 
pathology specimens in the OR? 

Please send your experience to apres...@jhmi.edu
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Kim Donadio]

> Less screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue = less prostate cancers caught 
> early = more deaths to prostate cancers. 

Would you not agree? 

And for all those advocating closure of private labs, do you also feel the same 
way about private pathologist owned labs who reep the benefits of getting all 
the out PT work from affiliated physicians while they also get a fee to serve 
as medical directors of hospital labs and get the pc portion of hospital work 
of which they can order as many test they want so they get the pc portion while 
the hospital gets the tc and all the big bills associated with doing the test 
making it hard on tax payer as well because so much in a hospital is already 
subsidize by the gov. 

Is what you really want is to have all pathologist as employees of the 
hospitals? And have the hospital bill global. 

And a few walmart like reference labs

I'm just curious as to the exact position of some on here. 

Thanks 

Kim
Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 2:39 PM, "Morken, Timothy"  
wrote:

> Not surprising since our health care system is biased to pay for tests and 
> treatments, not results. On top of this there are serious questions as to 
> whether the PSA screening that leads to biopsies is useful in the long term. 
> There is a recommendation out there to stop PSA screening for most men since 
> it is largely  non-specific. That test is what leads to the biopsies. Less 
> screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue.
> 
> Tim Morken
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Daniel 
> Schneider
> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:22 AM
> To: Histonet
> Subject: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ
> 
> The Wall Street Journal served up a timely article for us.
> You'll see both sides of the argument below. One side is right.
> 
> DLS
> 
> HEALTH INDUSTRY
> April 9, 2012, 7:22 p.m. ET
> Prostate-Test Fees Challenged
> 
> By CHRISTOPHER WEAVER
> Doctors in urology groups that profit from tests for prostate cancer order 
> more of them than doctors who send samples to independent laboratories, 
> according to a study Monday in the journal Health Affairs.
> 
> The study found that doctors' practices that do their own lab work bill the 
> federal Medicare program for analyzing 72% more prostate tissue samples per 
> biopsy while detecting fewer cases of cancer than counterparts who send 
> specimens to outside labs.
> 
> Hiring pathologists boosts revenue for a practice and creates a potential 
> incentive to increase the number of tests ordered, said Jean Mitchell, a 
> Georgetown University economist and author of the study.
> 
> That fewer cancers were detected-21% versus 35% for those sent to external 
> labs, according to the study-suggests "financial incentives"
> may play a role in decisions to order the tests, Ms. Mitchell said.
> 
> Some urologists said the research doesn't necessarily indicate financial 
> motives. Urologists in larger group practices that have in-house pathologists 
> may be more aggressive in testing because they seek to catch cancer earlier, 
> said Steven Schlossberg, a Yale urologist who heads a health-policy panel for 
> the American Urological Association and wasn't involved in the research. 
> Also, Dr. Schlossberg noted, the figures, which cover 36,261 biopsies from 
> 2005 through 2007, are five years old.
> 
> The study was financed by the College of American Pathologists and the 
> American Clinical Laboratory Association. It is the last salvo in a turf war 
> between laboratory companies and physician groups that have opened their own 
> labs to conduct tests.
> 
> Regulators and economists scrutinizing the growing costs of health care have 
> targeted a range of related activities by doctors, known as self-referrals.
> 
> Although a set of 1990s-era laws, named for their proponent, Rep. Pete Stark 
> (D., Calif.), ban doctors from referring patients to most companies in which 
> they have a financial interest, urology groups can enter the pathology 
> business because of an exemption for certain services performed within 
> physicians' offices. The pathologists and other groups are lobbying Congress 
> to end the exemption.
> 
> At issue in the study is a quirk of billing for lab procedures. Labs get paid 
> based on the number of jars used to hold specimens from a prostate biopsy. 
> Doctors can choose to put several specimens in one jar or put each in its own 
> jar, potentially boosting lab fees, which averaged about $104 a jar in 2010, 
> according to the study.
> 
> Urologists in practices with in-house pathologists sent 11.4 jars per biopsy 
> for testing versus 5.9 jars per biopsy for other doctors in 2005.
> 
> 
> Some doctors say that separating the samples can help them better map any 
> cancer.
> 
> In addition, urologists in recent years have been taking more samples during 
> a biopsy to better identify the location o

[Histonet] RE: Flammable cabinets

[Sherwood, Margaret]

We are a research lab and usually the restrictions apply to flammables outside 
the cabinet.  I believe they don't want more than 100-150ml of any one 
flammable.  I don't think there is a restriction to what's stored inside 
one--probably depends upon the size of the cabinet.

Peggy 


Peggy Sherwood
Research Specialist, Photopathology
Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214)
Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114-2696
617-724-4839 (voice mail)
617-726-6983 (lab)
617-726-1206 (fax)
msherw...@partners.org

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Vickroy, Jim
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:57 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Flammable cabinets


Can anybody explain how much alcohol or other flammables we can store in a 
flammable cabinet in a room?  I have read the CAP guidelines and am still 
confused.  Do the CAP guidelines  only have to do with stored reagents outside 
of a flammable cabinet?
What am I missing?

James Vickroy BS, HT(ASCP)

Surgical  and Autopsy Pathology Technical Supervisor
Memorial Medical Center
217-788-4046



This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information 
intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you 
are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message. Any disclosure, 
copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on 
it, is strictly prohibited.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Flammable cabinets

[Vickroy, Jim]

Can anybody explain how much alcohol or other flammables we can store in a 
flammable cabinet in a room?  I have read the CAP guidelines and am still 
confused.  Do the CAP guidelines  only have to do with stored reagents outside 
of a flammable cabinet?
What am I missing?

James Vickroy BS, HT(ASCP)

Surgical  and Autopsy Pathology Technical Supervisor
Memorial Medical Center
217-788-4046



This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information 
intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you 
are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message. Any disclosure, 
copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on 
it, is strictly prohibited.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Leica Bond IHC Platform

[joelle weaver]

Use it everyday. Are you looking for "opinions"?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Wellen  Terrence D. :LPH Lab" 
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 00:06:04 
To: 
Subject: [Histonet] Leica Bond IHC Platform

Does anyone have any experience with this product?


Terrence Wellen  HT(ASCP)
Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital
Portland, OR

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors

[joelle weaver]

I have used the Sakura and Milestone( original offerings from some time ago and 
 also later models). The variables are changed from conventional processing, 
and so you have to think about different things. When I have worked places that 
tried to transition to MW from conventional, the trouble starts when they try 
to design the programs like a conventional processor. My *theory*, which is 
based on some research over the last 5 years and as referenced by published 
literature on MW use in pathology, has to do with the polarity ( molecular 
composition) and the water content. The effect is more molecular than physical. 
You do have to customize for this with more detailed programs to get the best 
results in my experience. Dimensions and thickness are even more important than 
in conventional. Once you get over the change hurdle, it works ok and saves 
loads of time, decreases turn around and lets you move your staff in desirable 
ways. There is a revision of the CLSI MW guidelines that hopefully will get out 
there soon. I think when this is out it will help explain and help those 
wanting to use MW processors to improve TAT without tissue effects. In the 
meantime, I just did some basic literature searches and this really cleared up 
my understanding of the process and has helped me with programming these 
instruments.Joelle




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:36:00 -0400
> From: caroline.pr...@uphs.upenn.edu
> To: j...@cdc.gov; erin.mar...@ucsf.edu; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors
> CC: 
> 
> We cannot say the same, we had issues with shaves appearing "cooked".
> We had specialists out several times and after many suggestions, nothing
> resolved the issue.  It doesn't happen consistently but it definitely
> happens and we even attempted to track by tech or shifts or when the
> solutions were changed and no patterns could be found after several
> years.  Sakura has a new vendor for reagents now and they are going to
> come run some test slides but the VIP quality for derm keeps the
> pathologists much happier based on our experience.
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
> Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)
> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:14 PM
> To: Martin, Erin; histonet
> Subject: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors
> 
> Erin,
> 
> We have Sakura's Xpress and skins have always turned out just fine for
> us. It is very easy to use and maintain. 
> 
> Jeanine H. Bartlett
> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
> Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
> 404-639-3590
> jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Martin,
> Erin
> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:38 AM
> To: histonet
> Subject: [Histonet] Microwave processors
> 
> Hi histonetters!
> 
> Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are
> again looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience,
> I'm not enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their
> microwave processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good
> rapid derm processing protocol on a conventional processor?
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you so much!
> 
> Erin
> 
> 
> 
> Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
> UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
> 415-353-7248
> 
> Confidentiality Notice
> The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
> which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or priviledged
> material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
> taking of any actin in reliance upon, this information by persons or
> entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.  If you
> receive this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material
> from any computer.
> 
> 
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
> 
> The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the 
> personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader 
> of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for 
> delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you 
> have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, 
> distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have 
> received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, 
> and delete the original message.
> ___
> Histon

Re: [Histonet] New to paraffin cutting - seeking advice

[Jay Lundgren]

I hope you're not training yourself to use a microtome.  Please tell me you
have an experienced cutter supervising you.

 Sincerely,

  Jay A.
Lundgren M.S., HTL (ASCP)


























___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Morken, Timothy]

Not surprising since our health care system is biased to pay for tests and 
treatments, not results. On top of this there are serious questions as to 
whether the PSA screening that leads to biopsies is useful in the long term. 
There is a recommendation out there to stop PSA screening for most men since it 
is largely  non-specific. That test is what leads to the biopsies. Less 
screening = fewer biopsies = less revenue.

Tim Morken



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Daniel Schneider
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:22 AM
To: Histonet
Subject: [Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

The Wall Street Journal served up a timely article for us.
You'll see both sides of the argument below. One side is right.

DLS

HEALTH INDUSTRY
April 9, 2012, 7:22 p.m. ET
Prostate-Test Fees Challenged

By CHRISTOPHER WEAVER
Doctors in urology groups that profit from tests for prostate cancer order more 
of them than doctors who send samples to independent laboratories, according to 
a study Monday in the journal Health Affairs.

The study found that doctors' practices that do their own lab work bill the 
federal Medicare program for analyzing 72% more prostate tissue samples per 
biopsy while detecting fewer cases of cancer than counterparts who send 
specimens to outside labs.

Hiring pathologists boosts revenue for a practice and creates a potential 
incentive to increase the number of tests ordered, said Jean Mitchell, a 
Georgetown University economist and author of the study.

That fewer cancers were detected-21% versus 35% for those sent to external 
labs, according to the study-suggests "financial incentives"
may play a role in decisions to order the tests, Ms. Mitchell said.

Some urologists said the research doesn't necessarily indicate financial 
motives. Urologists in larger group practices that have in-house pathologists 
may be more aggressive in testing because they seek to catch cancer earlier, 
said Steven Schlossberg, a Yale urologist who heads a health-policy panel for 
the American Urological Association and wasn't involved in the research. Also, 
Dr. Schlossberg noted, the figures, which cover 36,261 biopsies from 2005 
through 2007, are five years old.

The study was financed by the College of American Pathologists and the American 
Clinical Laboratory Association. It is the last salvo in a turf war between 
laboratory companies and physician groups that have opened their own labs to 
conduct tests.

Regulators and economists scrutinizing the growing costs of health care have 
targeted a range of related activities by doctors, known as self-referrals.

Although a set of 1990s-era laws, named for their proponent, Rep. Pete Stark 
(D., Calif.), ban doctors from referring patients to most companies in which 
they have a financial interest, urology groups can enter the pathology business 
because of an exemption for certain services performed within physicians' 
offices. The pathologists and other groups are lobbying Congress to end the 
exemption.

At issue in the study is a quirk of billing for lab procedures. Labs get paid 
based on the number of jars used to hold specimens from a prostate biopsy. 
Doctors can choose to put several specimens in one jar or put each in its own 
jar, potentially boosting lab fees, which averaged about $104 a jar in 2010, 
according to the study.

Urologists in practices with in-house pathologists sent 11.4 jars per biopsy 
for testing versus 5.9 jars per biopsy for other doctors in 2005.


Some doctors say that separating the samples can help them better map any 
cancer.

In addition, urologists in recent years have been taking more samples during a 
biopsy to better identify the location of any cancer, said John Hollingsworth, 
an assistant professor of urology at the University of Michigan. The standard 
number of samples taken doubled to 12 over the last decade, he said.

The Health Affairs study's conclusions are "largely around billing practices, 
not around clinical practices," said George Kwass, a pathologist based in 
Massachusetts and board member of the College of American Pathologists. 
Urologists who team up with pathologists appear to bill more, he said, leading 
to potential waste.

Urology groups are consolidating, and increasingly moving into the pathology 
business. One large practice based on New York's Long Island, Integrated 
Medical Professionals, opened its lab in 2010 to control costs and because 
doctors encountered errors in outside test results, said the group's chairman, 
Deepak Kapoor.

"We don't make a fortune on pathology," Dr. Kapoor said.

But lab businesses are seeing revenue vanish. Texas pathology group ProPath 
stopped getting prostate tissue from large urology groups more than four years 
ago, said executive director Krista Crews, when these clients began doing lab 
work in-house. The group still gets referrals from small, one and two-doct

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Davide Costanzo]

The words used are rude, and highly uncalled for in a public forum. Not
one of my posts talked about techs at all, and very wrong assumptions
were made, and quite insulting posts ensued. I have great respect for
techs, always have. To suggest otherwise is more wrong than I can say.



Sent from my Windows Phone
From: Pratt, Caroline
Sent: 4/10/2012 10:18 AM
To: Nicole Tatum; Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
I don't think it was meant as a personal attack, it's a larger
conceptual issue on ethics of the business principle behind the model
for in-office laboratories and the debate isn't about jobs, it's about
the best interest of the patient.  I am sure your skill set is
exceptional.


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nicole
Tatum
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:56 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

Rude is when you attack someone who is your equal. Yes, your right im a
schmuck because I work in private practice. I didnt know that having my
education, and completing my internship, and having 12yrs in the field
made me a lesser histologist because I work in private practice.
Seriouly
get a grip. The conflict lies in you, if you cant see that we all are
working to support our families. I really dont care where my fellow
Histologist work, because I am happy they have a job and our
professional
is able to grow and that there are other opportunities for Histologist
outside of hospitals. These in-house lab have created all new
opportunities for Histologist and I back them 100%. Great thing about
being an American, is I dont have to agree with you. This field has
supported my family and allowed me to live comfortably, I will defend it
for myself and others who will be entering the work force. I can only
hope
they have me for a mentor. I choose to promote my field and work with my
collegues to ensure the survival of all of our jobs.

Nicole Tatum HT ASCP










 You're just plain rude. Whenever someone is wrong, it is easy to
> criticize others. Takes the focus off you.
>
> Unlike you, I will not post my personal rude comments on the entire
> list serv.
>
> You are right, I shouldn't argue with a lesser educated schmuck
either.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
> since in wasting my time.
>
>
> Nicole
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
>> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>>
>> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
>> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real,
and
>> significant conflict of interest.
>>
>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>> From: Nicole Tatum
>> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
>> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
>> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
>> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the
>> health
>> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
>> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls.
>> Tonsilectomy.
>> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP
lab.
>> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there
>> specialty
>> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm
>> specimens
>> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from
all
>> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher
turn
>> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
>> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can
>> service
>> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
>> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
>> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
>> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
>> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self
>> reffering
>> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
>> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could
>> reep
>> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are
>> all
>> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better
>> than
>> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
>> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue
>> during
>> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Re

[Histonet] In House Labs in WSJ

[Daniel Schneider]

The Wall Street Journal served up a timely article for us.
You'll see both sides of the argument below. One side is right.

DLS

HEALTH INDUSTRY
April 9, 2012, 7:22 p.m. ET
Prostate-Test Fees Challenged

By CHRISTOPHER WEAVER
Doctors in urology groups that profit from tests for prostate cancer
order more of them than doctors who send samples to independent
laboratories, according to a study Monday in the journal Health
Affairs.

The study found that doctors' practices that do their own lab work bill
the federal Medicare program for analyzing 72% more prostate tissue
samples per biopsy while detecting fewer cases of cancer than
counterparts who send specimens to outside labs.

Hiring pathologists boosts revenue for a practice and creates a
potential incentive to increase the number of tests ordered, said Jean
Mitchell, a Georgetown University economist and author of the study.

That fewer cancers were detected—21% versus 35% for those sent to
external labs, according to the study—suggests "financial incentives"
may play a role in decisions to order the tests, Ms. Mitchell said.

Some urologists said the research doesn't necessarily indicate
financial motives. Urologists in larger group practices that have
in-house pathologists may be more aggressive in testing because they
seek to catch cancer earlier, said Steven Schlossberg, a Yale urologist
who heads a health-policy panel for the American Urological Association
and wasn't involved in the research. Also, Dr. Schlossberg noted, the
figures, which cover 36,261 biopsies from 2005 through 2007, are five
years old.

The study was financed by the College of American Pathologists and the
American Clinical Laboratory Association. It is the last salvo in a turf
war between laboratory companies and physician groups that have opened
their own labs to conduct tests.

Regulators and economists scrutinizing the growing costs of health care
have targeted a range of related activities by doctors, known as
self-referrals.

Although a set of 1990s-era laws, named for their proponent, Rep. Pete
Stark (D., Calif.), ban doctors from referring patients to most
companies in which they have a financial interest, urology groups can
enter the pathology business because of an exemption for certain
services performed within physicians' offices. The pathologists and
other groups are lobbying Congress to end the exemption.

At issue in the study is a quirk of billing for lab procedures. Labs
get paid based on the number of jars used to hold specimens from a
prostate biopsy. Doctors can choose to put several specimens in one jar
or put each in its own jar, potentially boosting lab fees, which
averaged about $104 a jar in 2010, according to the study.

Urologists in practices with in-house pathologists sent 11.4 jars per
biopsy for testing versus 5.9 jars per biopsy for other doctors in 2005.


Some doctors say that separating the samples can help them better map
any cancer.

In addition, urologists in recent years have been taking more samples
during a biopsy to better identify the location of any cancer, said John
Hollingsworth, an assistant professor of urology at the University of
Michigan. The standard number of samples taken doubled to 12 over the
last decade, he said.

The Health Affairs study's conclusions are "largely around billing
practices, not around clinical practices," said George Kwass, a
pathologist based in Massachusetts and board member of the College of
American Pathologists. Urologists who team up with pathologists appear
to bill more, he said, leading to potential waste.

Urology groups are consolidating, and increasingly moving into the
pathology business. One large practice based on New York's Long Island,
Integrated Medical Professionals, opened its lab in 2010 to control
costs and because doctors encountered errors in outside test results,
said the group's chairman, Deepak Kapoor.

"We don't make a fortune on pathology," Dr. Kapoor said.

But lab businesses are seeing revenue vanish. Texas pathology group
ProPath stopped getting prostate tissue from large urology groups more
than four years ago, said executive director Krista Crews, when these
clients began doing lab work in-house. The group still gets referrals
from small, one and two-doctor practices, she said.

Large laboratory companies are worried about the trend, too. Quest
Diagnostics Inc. DGX -2.52%said in its latest annual filings that if
physicians, including urologists as well as gastroenterologists and skin
and cancer doctors, continued to "internalize" testing services, it
could reduce the company's sales.

Write to Christopher Weaver at christopher.wea...@wsj.com

Copyright 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution
and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by
copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please
contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit

[Histonet] Histology Openings

[Kaitlin Webster]

Currently working on a variety of permanent, fulltime histology positions
available nationwide (NY, NC, MD, AZ, CT, CO, TX FL and TN). Please feel
free to e-mail me for more information- kait...@prometheushealthcare.com 

 

 

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Amber McKenzie]

Okay, let's move on people.  It's getting too personal instead of professional. 
 Enough already

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Pratt, Caroline
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:19 PM
To: Nicole Tatum; Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

I don't think it was meant as a personal attack, it's a larger
conceptual issue on ethics of the business principle behind the model
for in-office laboratories and the debate isn't about jobs, it's about
the best interest of the patient.  I am sure your skill set is
exceptional.


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nicole
Tatum
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:56 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

Rude is when you attack someone who is your equal. Yes, your right im a
schmuck because I work in private practice. I didnt know that having my
education, and completing my internship, and having 12yrs in the field
made me a lesser histologist because I work in private practice.
Seriouly
get a grip. The conflict lies in you, if you cant see that we all are
working to support our families. I really dont care where my fellow
Histologist work, because I am happy they have a job and our
professional
is able to grow and that there are other opportunities for Histologist
outside of hospitals. These in-house lab have created all new
opportunities for Histologist and I back them 100%. Great thing about
being an American, is I dont have to agree with you. This field has
supported my family and allowed me to live comfortably, I will defend it
for myself and others who will be entering the work force. I can only
hope
they have me for a mentor. I choose to promote my field and work with my
collegues to ensure the survival of all of our jobs.

Nicole Tatum HT ASCP










 You're just plain rude. Whenever someone is wrong, it is easy to
> criticize others. Takes the focus off you.
>
> Unlike you, I will not post my personal rude comments on the entire
> list serv.
>
> You are right, I shouldn't argue with a lesser educated schmuck
either.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
> since in wasting my time.
>
>
> Nicole
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
>> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>>
>> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
>> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real,
and
>> significant conflict of interest.
>>
>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>> From: Nicole Tatum
>> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
>> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
>> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
>> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the
>> health
>> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
>> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls.
>> Tonsilectomy.
>> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP
lab.
>> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there
>> specialty
>> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm
>> specimens
>> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from
all
>> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher
turn
>> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
>> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can
>> service
>> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
>> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
>> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
>> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
>> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self
>> reffering
>> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
>> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could
>> reep
>> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are
>> all
>> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better
>> than
>> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
>> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue
>> during
>> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are.
>> Who
>> are they to dictate

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Pratt, Caroline]

I don't think it was meant as a personal attack, it's a larger
conceptual issue on ethics of the business principle behind the model
for in-office laboratories and the debate isn't about jobs, it's about
the best interest of the patient.  I am sure your skill set is
exceptional.


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nicole
Tatum
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:56 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

Rude is when you attack someone who is your equal. Yes, your right im a
schmuck because I work in private practice. I didnt know that having my
education, and completing my internship, and having 12yrs in the field
made me a lesser histologist because I work in private practice.
Seriouly
get a grip. The conflict lies in you, if you cant see that we all are
working to support our families. I really dont care where my fellow
Histologist work, because I am happy they have a job and our
professional
is able to grow and that there are other opportunities for Histologist
outside of hospitals. These in-house lab have created all new
opportunities for Histologist and I back them 100%. Great thing about
being an American, is I dont have to agree with you. This field has
supported my family and allowed me to live comfortably, I will defend it
for myself and others who will be entering the work force. I can only
hope
they have me for a mentor. I choose to promote my field and work with my
collegues to ensure the survival of all of our jobs.

Nicole Tatum HT ASCP










 You're just plain rude. Whenever someone is wrong, it is easy to
> criticize others. Takes the focus off you.
>
> Unlike you, I will not post my personal rude comments on the entire
> list serv.
>
> You are right, I shouldn't argue with a lesser educated schmuck
either.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
> since in wasting my time.
>
>
> Nicole
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
>> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>>
>> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
>> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real,
and
>> significant conflict of interest.
>>
>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>> From: Nicole Tatum
>> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
>> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
>> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
>> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the
>> health
>> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
>> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls.
>> Tonsilectomy.
>> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP
lab.
>> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there
>> specialty
>> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm
>> specimens
>> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from
all
>> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher
turn
>> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
>> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can
>> service
>> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
>> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
>> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
>> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
>> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self
>> reffering
>> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
>> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could
>> reep
>> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are
>> all
>> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better
>> than
>> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
>> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue
>> during
>> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are.
>> Who
>> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to
>> much
>> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide
the
>> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to
>> give
>> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
>> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try
our
>> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each o

Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Kim Donadio]

Davide, 
 You are seriously offending a mass of people who work very hard in 
private labs. And you do it again with this comeback. You have NOT been 
eloquent yourself so get off the high horse. 
 
We need to end this topic. Apparently we are devided amongst ourselves into 
private labs and hospital labs. Thats too bad as I have worked in both and they 
both provide a needed service. 
 
And Davide, Trust me, I know Nicole personally and she is the "definition" of 
Class. 
 
Have a good week all! 
 
Kim D



From: Davide Costanzo 
To: Nicole Tatum ; "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu" 
 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:13 PM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

Very classy argument. Thank you for your eloquence.

Sent from my Windows Phone
From: Nicole Tatum
Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
since in wasting my time.


Nicole






Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>
> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
> significant conflict of interest.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
> trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
> fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
> is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
> all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
> our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.
>
> Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>  Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
>> favorite
>> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
>> Ricci still there?
>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This was released today.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>> Statline Special Alert:
>>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>>> Cancer Detection Rates
>>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>>> April 9—Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in 

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Baldridge, Lee Ann]

Hey David I think your list of people never wanting to work with you just got 
longer. 
Lee Ann 

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Davide Costanzo
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:13 PM
To: Nicole Tatum; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

Very classy argument. Thank you for your eloquence.

Sent from my Windows Phone
From: Nicole Tatum
Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
since in wasting my time.


Nicole






 Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>
> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
> significant conflict of interest.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
> trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
> fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
> is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
> all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
> our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.
>
> Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>  Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
>> favorite
>> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
>> Ricci still there?
>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This was released today.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>> Statline Special Alert:
>>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>>> Cancer Detection Rates
>>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>>> April 9-Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in fact, the
>>> detection rate was 14% lower than that of non self-referring
>>> physicians.
>>>
>>> These findings, from an independent study co-funded by the CAP, provide
>>> the first clear evidence that self-referral of anatomic pathology
>>> services leads to increased utilization, higher Medicare spending, and
>>> lower rates 

RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors

[Pratt, Caroline]

We cannot say the same, we had issues with shaves appearing "cooked".
We had specialists out several times and after many suggestions, nothing
resolved the issue.  It doesn't happen consistently but it definitely
happens and we even attempted to track by tech or shifts or when the
solutions were changed and no patterns could be found after several
years.  Sakura has a new vendor for reagents now and they are going to
come run some test slides but the VIP quality for derm keeps the
pathologists much happier based on our experience.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:14 PM
To: Martin, Erin; histonet
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors

Erin,

We have Sakura's Xpress and skins have always turned out just fine for
us. It is very easy to use and maintain. 

Jeanine H. Bartlett
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
404-639-3590
jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Martin,
Erin
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:38 AM
To: histonet
Subject: [Histonet] Microwave processors

Hi histonetters!

Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are
again looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience,
I'm not enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their
microwave processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good
rapid derm processing protocol on a conventional processor?



Thank you so much!

Erin



Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
415-353-7248

Confidentiality Notice
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or priviledged
material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any actin in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.  If you
receive this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material
from any computer.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the 
personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of 
this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for 
delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have 
received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, 
distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have 
received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, 
and delete the original message.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Microwave processors

[Pratt, Caroline]

I believe there was a conference this month in your area and they were
introducing a new to the market rapid traditional constant feed
processor.  Let me see if I can track down the info. :)

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Martin,
Erin
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:38 AM
To: histonet
Subject: [Histonet] Microwave processors

Hi histonetters!

Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are
again looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience,
I'm not enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their
microwave processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good
rapid derm processing protocol on a conventional processor?



Thank you so much!

Erin



Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
415-353-7248

Confidentiality Notice
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or priviledged
material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any actin in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.  If you
receive this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material
from any computer.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the 
personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of 
this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for 
delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have 
received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, 
distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have 
received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, 
and delete the original message.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] RE: Microwave processors

[Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)]

Erin,

We have Sakura's Xpress and skins have always turned out just fine for us. It 
is very easy to use and maintain. 

Jeanine H. Bartlett
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
404-639-3590
jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Martin, Erin
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:38 AM
To: histonet
Subject: [Histonet] Microwave processors

Hi histonetters!

Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are again 
looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience, I'm not 
enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their microwave 
processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good rapid derm 
processing protocol on a conventional processor?



Thank you so much!

Erin



Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
415-353-7248

Confidentiality Notice
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which 
it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or priviledged material.  Any 
review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any actin 
in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the 
intended recipient is prohibited.  If you receive this in error, please contact 
the sender and delete the material from any computer.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Davide Costanzo]

Very classy argument. Thank you for your eloquence.

Sent from my Windows Phone
From: Nicole Tatum
Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
since in wasting my time.


Nicole






 Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>
> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
> significant conflict of interest.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
> trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
> fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
> is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
> all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
> our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.
>
> Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>  Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
>> favorite
>> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
>> Ricci still there?
>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This was released today.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>> Statline Special Alert:
>>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>>> Cancer Detection Rates
>>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>>> April 9—Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in fact, the
>>> detection rate was 14% lower than that of non self-referring
>>> physicians.
>>>
>>> These findings, from an independent study co-funded by the CAP, provide
>>> the first clear evidence that self-referral of anatomic pathology
>>> services leads to increased utilization, higher Medicare spending, and
>>> lower rates of cancer detection. The study, led by renowned Georgetown
>>> University health care economist Jean Mitchell, PhD, will appear in the
>>> April 2012 issue of Health Affairs and is now available on the
>>> journal’s website.
>>>
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>
>>> >>> Daniel Schneider  4/9/2012 4:47 PM >>>
>>> This is all about the money. Th

[Histonet] Slippery Floors due to paraffin

[Parker, Helayne]

 I was also taught years ago to make sure housekeeping does not put wax on your 
path lab floors.


Helayne Parker, H.T. (ASCP)
Pathology Section Head

Skaggs Regional Medical Center
The Best Place to Get Better

P.O. Box 650, Branson Missouri 65615
Direct: 417-335-7254
Fax: 417-335-7127
E-Mail: hpar...@skaggs.net
Web: www.skaggs.net

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or 
previous e-mail messages attached to it may contain information that is 
confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, or a 
person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby 
notified that you must not read this transmission and that any disclosure, 
copying, printing, distribution or use of any of the information contained in 
or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received 
this transmission in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone 
or return e-mail and delete the original transmission and its attachments 
without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Hot Histology Job Alert from RELIA Solutions. Histology Tech needed - Days Full time in Kingman, AZ

[Pam Barker]

Hi Histonetters.
I hope everyone is having a great day.  I am excited to tell you about
an opportunity that I have with a client in Kingman, AZ.  This is a
fulltime permanent day shift position and my client offers a competitive
salary, nice benefits and a great group of people to work with.  They
need someone who is ASCP certified or eligible and has at least 1 year
of histology experience preferably in a hospital environment.  I have
heard great things about this facility and would love to introduce you
to them.  If you would like more information please  contact me toll
free at 866-607-3542 or by email at rel...@earthlink.net  Thanks-Pam
Thank You!
 
 
Pam Barker
President
RELIA 
Specialists in Allied Healthcare Recruiting
5703 Red Bug Lake Road #330
Winter Springs, FL 32708-4969
Phone: (407)657-2027
Cell: (407)353-5070
FAX: (407)678-2788
E-mail: rel...@earthlink.net 
www.facebook.comPamBarkerRELIA
www.linkedin.com/in/reliasolutions
www.twitter.com/pamatrelia 

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Elastic Stain

[Janet Keeping]

Are the slides differentiated individually using mcroscopic checks?
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Nicole Tatum]

Rude is when you attack someone who is your equal. Yes, your right im a
schmuck because I work in private practice. I didnt know that having my
education, and completing my internship, and having 12yrs in the field
made me a lesser histologist because I work in private practice. Seriouly
get a grip. The conflict lies in you, if you cant see that we all are
working to support our families. I really dont care where my fellow
Histologist work, because I am happy they have a job and our professional
is able to grow and that there are other opportunities for Histologist
outside of hospitals. These in-house lab have created all new
opportunities for Histologist and I back them 100%. Great thing about
being an American, is I dont have to agree with you. This field has
supported my family and allowed me to live comfortably, I will defend it
for myself and others who will be entering the work force. I can only hope
they have me for a mentor. I choose to promote my field and work with my
collegues to ensure the survival of all of our jobs.

Nicole Tatum HT ASCP










 You're just plain rude. Whenever someone is wrong, it is easy to
> criticize others. Takes the focus off you.
>
> Unlike you, I will not post my personal rude comments on the entire
> list serv.
>
> You are right, I shouldn't argue with a lesser educated schmuck either.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 8:18 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
> since in wasting my time.
>
>
> Nicole
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
>> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>>
>> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
>> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
>> significant conflict of interest.
>>
>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>> From: Nicole Tatum
>> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
>> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
>> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
>> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the
>> health
>> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
>> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls.
>> Tonsilectomy.
>> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
>> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there
>> specialty
>> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm
>> specimens
>> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
>> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
>> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
>> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can
>> service
>> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
>> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
>> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
>> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
>> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self
>> reffering
>> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
>> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could
>> reep
>> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are
>> all
>> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better
>> than
>> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
>> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue
>> during
>> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are.
>> Who
>> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to
>> much
>> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
>> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to
>> give
>> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
>> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
>> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
>> trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
>> fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
>> is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology,
>> we
>> all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care
>> and
>> our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.
>>
>> Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
>>> favorite
>>> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
>>> Ric

[Histonet] Lab Assistants

[blueseptember]

Does anyone know of a regulation (CLIA, CAP, JACHO) for a lab assistants / non 
certified working in histology (embedding, cutting, staining,
 coverslipping and changing solutions) ? I know many out there have strong 
"opinions" about this subject but I am interested in the actual regulations. I 
am needing this to present to my docs. Thanks!
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Sweetheart of a day job - Arizona

[Cheryl]

Hi Guys-
 
I'm SO excited!  One of the places I temped and trained a bench tech oh-so-many 
years ago is looking to hire another Histotech.  They're growing leaps and 
bounds.  The Pathologist is the same I worked with--nice guy, good at his 
job--and the community is awesome.  
 
They're looking for a registered or eligible tech with at least one year for a 
M-F day shift. It's a hospital--one of those places you can stay forever and be 
happy in your job. The pay is good, relocation assistance is available.  I'd be 
delighted to help them find their 'right' fit.
 
Call my cell or email--attach your resume if you have one or we can write it 
together...
 
Thank you!  

Cheryl Kerry, HT(ASCP) 
Full Staff Inc. 
Staffing the AP Lab by helping one GREAT Tech at a time.  
281.852.9457 Office
800.756.3309 Phone & Fax 
ad...@fullstaff.org 

Sign up for the FREE newsletter AP News--updates, tricks of the trade and 
current issues for Anatomic Pathology Clinical Labs. Send a 'subscribe' request 
to apn...@fullstaff.org. Please include your name and specialty in the body of 
the email.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Paula Pierce]

Ditto Nicole!

My daughter just passed her FUNERAL DIRECTOR boards!

First time, I might add.

 
Paula K. Pierce, HTL(ASCP)HT
President
Excalibur Pathology, Inc.
8901 S. Santa Fe, Suite G
Oklahoma City, OK 73139
405-759-3953 Lab
405-759-7513 Fax
www.excaliburpathology.com



 From: Nicole Tatum 
To: Davide Costanzo ; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:18 AM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
 
Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
since in wasting my time.


Nicole






Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>
> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
> significant conflict of interest.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
> trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
> fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
> is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
> all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
> our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.
>
> Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>  Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
>> favorite
>> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
>> Ricci still there?
>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This was released today.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>> Statline Special Alert:
>>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>>> Cancer Detection Rates
>>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>>> April 9—Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in fact, the
>>> detection rate was 14% lower than that of non self-referring
>>> physicians.
>>>
>>> These findings, from an independent study co-funded by the CAP, provide
>>> the first clear evidence that self-referral of anatomic pathology
>>> services leads to increased utilization, higher Medicare spending, and
>>> lower rates of cancer detection. The study, led by renowned Georgetown
>>> University health care economist Jean Mitchell, PhD, will appear in the
>>> April 2012 issue of H

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Nicole Tatum]

Really, An undertaker. Yea, theres definately a conflict here, you. No
since in wasting my time.


Nicole






 Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
> post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.
>
> These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
> undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
> significant conflict of interest.
>
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> From: Nicole Tatum
> Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
> To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
> Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
> hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
> care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
> general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
> etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
> David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
> and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
> so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
> sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
> around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
> service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
> all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
> different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
> multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
> surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
> hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
> when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
> surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
> the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
> joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
> another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
> Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
> this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
> are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
> power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
> best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
> best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
> through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
> best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
> trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
> fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
> is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
> all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
> our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.
>
> Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>  Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
>> favorite
>> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
>> Ricci still there?
>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This was released today.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>> Statline Special Alert:
>>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>>> Cancer Detection Rates
>>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>>> April 9—Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in fact, the
>>> detection rate was 14% lower than that of non self-referring
>>> physicians.
>>>
>>> These findings, from an independent study co-funded by the CAP, provide
>>> the first clear evidence that self-referral of anatomic pathology
>>> services leads to increased utilization, higher Medicare spending, and
>>> lower rates of cancer detection. The study, led by renowned Georgetown
>>> University health care economist Jean Mitchell, PhD, will appear in the
>>> April 2012 issue of Health Affairs and is now available on the
>>> journal’s website.
>>>
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>
>>> >>> Daniel Schneider  4/9/2012 4:47 PM >>>
>>> This is all about the money. The rest is rationalization.
>>>
>>> The reason a group of non-pathologist physicians opens an in-house
>>> pathology lab and hires an employee pathologist is first and foremost
>>> to harvest profit from pathology reimbursement. Be a fly on 

[Histonet] Current Histology Openings

[Brannon Owens]

Allied Search Partners is looking for qualified histology professionals to
fill the below positions.  Interested candidates should forward an updated
resume to bran...@alliedsearchpartners.com for a full job description and
consideration for hire.  All the below positions are for permanent placement
and direct hire.

1)  Histology Manager- Ft. Myers, FL
2)  Immunospecialist- Tyler, TX
3)  Histotechnician or Histotechnologist- Naples, FL
4)  Histotechnologist (Lead)- Fort Myers, FL
5)  Histotechnician or Histotechnologist- Knoxville, TN
6)  Histotechnician or Histotechnologist- Port Chester, NY
7)  Histotechnician or Histotechnologist- Denver, CO
8)  Mohs Technician- Denver, CO
9)  Histotechnician or Histotechnologist (part time)- Portland, OR
-- 
*If you wish to no longer receive emails from Allied Search Partners please
respond to this email message with "remove."
 
Brannon Owens, Recruitment Manager
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/brannon-owens/28/528/823

Allied Search Partners

T: 888.388.7571 ext. 106

F: 888.388.7572

www.alliedsearchpartners.com 

Tell us about your experience with ASP by clicking on this link:
http://ratepoint.com/tellus/82388  

 

This email including its attachments is intended only for the confidential
use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message
or its attachments is prohibited.  If you have received this message in
error, please notify us immediately, and delete this message and its
attachments permanently from your system.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Microwave processors

[Martin, Erin]

Hi histonetters!

Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are again 
looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience, I'm not 
enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their microwave 
processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good rapid derm 
processing protocol on a conventional processor?



Thank you so much!

Erin



Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
415-353-7248

Confidentiality Notice
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which 
it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or priviledged material.  Any 
review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any actin 
in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the 
intended recipient is prohibited.  If you receive this in error, please contact 
the sender and delete the material from any computer.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Davide Costanzo]

Start with reading Dr. Schneider's post. Then read Richard Cartun's
post. Those should deal will what you are talking about very well.

These in-office labs should not exist, for the very same reason the
undertaker is no longer the ambulance driver. There is a very real, and
significant conflict of interest.

Sent from my Windows Phone
From: Nicole Tatum
Sent: 4/10/2012 6:45 AM
To: Davide Costanzo; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.

Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP





 Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
> favorite
> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
> Ricci still there?
> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
> wrote:
>
>> This was released today.
>>
>> Richard
>>
>> Statline Special Alert:
>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>> Cancer Detection Rates
>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>> April 9—Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in fact, the
>> detection rate was 14% lower than that of non self-referring
>> physicians.
>>
>> These findings, from an independent study co-funded by the CAP, provide
>> the first clear evidence that self-referral of anatomic pathology
>> services leads to increased utilization, higher Medicare spending, and
>> lower rates of cancer detection. The study, led by renowned Georgetown
>> University health care economist Jean Mitchell, PhD, will appear in the
>> April 2012 issue of Health Affairs and is now available on the
>> journal’s website.
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>> >>> Daniel Schneider  4/9/2012 4:47 PM >>>
>> This is all about the money. The rest is rationalization.
>>
>> The reason a group of non-pathologist physicians opens an in-house
>> pathology lab and hires an employee pathologist is first and foremost
>> to harvest profit from pathology reimbursement. Be a fly on the wall in
>> the
>> partners' meetings and you would know that's what they are talking
>> about.
>>
>> To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.
>>
>> And the implication that the generalist anatomic pathologist is
>> unqualified
>> to be signing out sk

Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Daniel Schneider]

Because some things are worth arguing about or fighting for?
That there are two sides to a conflict doesn't imply that the sides are
equally right.

It's well documented that clinicians who own their own pathology labs, and
profit from the processing and reading of their biopsies, generate
significantly more biopsies.  Is that good for the patient?

Incentives matter.

Separating the biopsy grabbing from the biopsy processing/reading is one
small way to remove an incentive to abuse the patient and the taxpayer.


On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 8:47 AM, Pratt, Caroline <
caroline.pr...@uphs.upenn.edu> wrote:

> There are pros and cons to both business structures.  I love the
> information I get on histonet, but why does everything have to turn into
> an argument?  Can't we just respect each other's opinions?
>
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kim
> Donadio
> Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 5:58 PM
> To: Daniel Schneider
> Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation
>
> To suggest that any physician who goes into private practice and has
> their own lab is any more of a money hound than any other physician at a
> hospital would also be disingenuous . And of course this is about money.
> It's about one group of people trying to get another group of people out
> of the lab business because they want that money. It's also about the
> government squeezing insurance companies into these more stringent
> regulations. Now I'm not against more stringent regulations but I do
> find it offensive of how they are going about it. The little guy will
> take the hits on this one. I guess what they want is a bunch of walmart
> like labs. Private practices serve a patient care cause just as hospital
> labs do. They all make a diagnosis.  They all deserve to be paid.
>
> My 2 cents
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 9, 2012, at 4:47 PM, Daniel Schneider 
> wrote:
>
> > This is all about the money. The rest is rationalization.
> >
> > The reason a group of non-pathologist physicians opens an in-house
> > pathology lab and hires an employee pathologist is first and foremost
> > to harvest profit from pathology reimbursement. Be a fly on the wall
> in the
> > partners' meetings and you would know that's what they are talking
> about.
> >
> > To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.
> >
> > And the implication that the generalist anatomic pathologist is
> unqualified
> > to be signing out skins, prostates, GI's and whatever is
> reprehensible.
> > This is not cardiac bypass surgery, and AP pathologists *are* trained
> to do
> > all of the above. I eagerly defer to subspecialty expert consultants
> as
> > needed, but most of the time they're not needed.
> >
> > Hospital labs that see few, if any skins, prostates, GI's, are only in
> that
> > pickle because of the cherrypicking they've already been subjected to.
> >
> > *"in-office AP labs are an emerging frontier of employment for
> histologists
> > and pathologists.  In an era of high unemployment, another source of
> > employment for our professions is "a good thing.""*
> >
> > Really? The jobs follow the specimens. Given the same number of
> specimens,
> > there's the same number of jobs, more or less, just under different
> > circumstances and in different locations   Unless you're suggesting
> that
> > in-office labs will generate increased specimens, and thus increased
> jobs
> > though overutilization, i.e. excessive numbers of unnecessary biopsies
> and
> > abuse of the patient and the taxpayer.  In which case I have to say
> there's
> > a grain of truth. And the truth hurts.  And it's not " a good thing."
> >
> > None of this should be taken as criticism of histotechs and
> pathologists
> > who find themselves working in an in-office lab. I know there's bills
> to
> > pay, families to take care of, and god knows it's hard for a
> pathologist to
> > find a job these days with the numbers our residency programs keep
> churning
> > out (but that's another rant...).
> >
> > Dan Schneider, MD
> > Amarillo, TX
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 12:52 PM,  wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Histonetters:
> >>
> >> In-office AP labs provide a valuable service to the practices they
> serve
> >> by facilitating 1) better communication between pathologists and
> ordering
> >> clinicians, 2) quality metrics that are practice-specific, and 3)
> high
> >> volume, sub-specialization for both histotechnologists and
> pathologists.
> >> In other words, the more of one type of histopathology a lab does
> (e.g.,
> >> skin, prostate, GI), the better it gets.  Most people would not think
> of
> >> having their cardiac bypass surgery done at a community hospital
> doing
> >> 50/year; you want to go where more than 500/year are done.  In
> >> histopathology, the kinds of volume you want are in the thousands for
> e

[Histonet] Re: HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

[Bob Richmond]

Sue Hunter asks: >>Can you use the 3M freezing fluid in a HistoBath
instead of isopentane?<<

I haven't seen it done, but I understand that the 3M freezing fluid
can be used in the old HistoBath, if you still have one of them.

Alan Bright pointed out something I didn't know - that because of the
greater density of the 3M freezing liquid, specimens float in it.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Nicole Tatum]

Well Said



 To suggest that any physician who goes into private practice and has their
> own lab is any more of a money hound than any other physician at a
> hospital would also be disingenuous . And of course this is about money.
> It's about one group of people trying to get another group of people out
> of the lab business because they want that money. It's also about the
> government squeezing insurance companies into these more stringent
> regulations. Now I'm not against more stringent regulations but I do find
> it offensive of how they are going about it. The little guy will take the
> hits on this one. I guess what they want is a bunch of walmart like labs.
> Private practices serve a patient care cause just as hospital labs do.
> They all make a diagnosis.  They all deserve to be paid.
>
> My 2 cents
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 9, 2012, at 4:47 PM, Daniel Schneider 
> wrote:
>
>> This is all about the money. The rest is rationalization.
>>
>> The reason a group of non-pathologist physicians opens an in-house
>> pathology lab and hires an employee pathologist is first and foremost
>> to harvest profit from pathology reimbursement. Be a fly on the wall in
>> the
>> partners' meetings and you would know that's what they are talking
>> about.
>>
>> To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.
>>
>> And the implication that the generalist anatomic pathologist is
>> unqualified
>> to be signing out skins, prostates, GI's and whatever is reprehensible.
>> This is not cardiac bypass surgery, and AP pathologists *are* trained to
>> do
>> all of the above. I eagerly defer to subspecialty expert consultants as
>> needed, but most of the time they're not needed.
>>
>> Hospital labs that see few, if any skins, prostates, GI's, are only in
>> that
>> pickle because of the cherrypicking they've already been subjected to.
>>
>> *"in-office AP labs are an emerging frontier of employment for
>> histologists
>> and pathologists.  In an era of high unemployment, another source of
>> employment for our professions is "a good thing.""*
>>
>> Really? The jobs follow the specimens. Given the same number of
>> specimens,
>> there's the same number of jobs, more or less, just under different
>> circumstances and in different locations   Unless you're suggesting that
>> in-office labs will generate increased specimens, and thus increased
>> jobs
>> though overutilization, i.e. excessive numbers of unnecessary biopsies
>> and
>> abuse of the patient and the taxpayer.  In which case I have to say
>> there's
>> a grain of truth. And the truth hurts.  And it's not " a good thing."
>>
>> None of this should be taken as criticism of histotechs and pathologists
>> who find themselves working in an in-office lab. I know there's bills to
>> pay, families to take care of, and god knows it's hard for a pathologist
>> to
>> find a job these days with the numbers our residency programs keep
>> churning
>> out (but that's another rant...).
>>
>> Dan Schneider, MD
>> Amarillo, TX
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 12:52 PM,  wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Histonetters:
>>>
>>> In-office AP labs provide a valuable service to the practices they
>>> serve
>>> by facilitating 1) better communication between pathologists and
>>> ordering
>>> clinicians, 2) quality metrics that are practice-specific, and 3) high
>>> volume, sub-specialization for both histotechnologists and
>>> pathologists.
>>> In other words, the more of one type of histopathology a lab does
>>> (e.g.,
>>> skin, prostate, GI), the better it gets.  Most people would not think
>>> of
>>> having their cardiac bypass surgery done at a community hospital doing
>>> 50/year; you want to go where more than 500/year are done.  In
>>> histopathology, the kinds of volume you want are in the thousands for
>>> each
>>> tissue type.  Many hospital labs do little skin or prostate histology
>>> anymore.  Many sub-specialty in-office AP labs may do thousands of
>>> cases of
>>> one tissue type every year.
>>>
>>> Aside from that, in-office AP labs are an emerging frontier of
>>> employment
>>> for histologists and pathologists.  In an era of high unemployment,
>>> another
>>> source of employment for our professions is "a good thing."
>>>
>>> This requirement by an insurer for accreditation will help to validate
>>> these in-office AP labs' commitment to quality and put them on the
>>> level
>>> with their hospital counterparts.
>>>
>>> John D. Cochran, MD, FCAP
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ___
>>> Histonet mailing list
>>> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>>>
>> ___
>> Histonet mailing list
>> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/m

RE: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Pratt, Caroline]

There are pros and cons to both business structures.  I love the
information I get on histonet, but why does everything have to turn into
an argument?  Can't we just respect each other's opinions? 

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kim
Donadio
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 5:58 PM
To: Daniel Schneider
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

To suggest that any physician who goes into private practice and has
their own lab is any more of a money hound than any other physician at a
hospital would also be disingenuous . And of course this is about money.
It's about one group of people trying to get another group of people out
of the lab business because they want that money. It's also about the
government squeezing insurance companies into these more stringent
regulations. Now I'm not against more stringent regulations but I do
find it offensive of how they are going about it. The little guy will
take the hits on this one. I guess what they want is a bunch of walmart
like labs. Private practices serve a patient care cause just as hospital
labs do. They all make a diagnosis.  They all deserve to be paid. 

My 2 cents

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 9, 2012, at 4:47 PM, Daniel Schneider 
wrote:

> This is all about the money. The rest is rationalization.
> 
> The reason a group of non-pathologist physicians opens an in-house
> pathology lab and hires an employee pathologist is first and foremost
> to harvest profit from pathology reimbursement. Be a fly on the wall
in the
> partners' meetings and you would know that's what they are talking
about.
> 
> To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.
> 
> And the implication that the generalist anatomic pathologist is
unqualified
> to be signing out skins, prostates, GI's and whatever is
reprehensible.
> This is not cardiac bypass surgery, and AP pathologists *are* trained
to do
> all of the above. I eagerly defer to subspecialty expert consultants
as
> needed, but most of the time they're not needed.
> 
> Hospital labs that see few, if any skins, prostates, GI's, are only in
that
> pickle because of the cherrypicking they've already been subjected to.
> 
> *"in-office AP labs are an emerging frontier of employment for
histologists
> and pathologists.  In an era of high unemployment, another source of
> employment for our professions is "a good thing.""*
> 
> Really? The jobs follow the specimens. Given the same number of
specimens,
> there's the same number of jobs, more or less, just under different
> circumstances and in different locations   Unless you're suggesting
that
> in-office labs will generate increased specimens, and thus increased
jobs
> though overutilization, i.e. excessive numbers of unnecessary biopsies
and
> abuse of the patient and the taxpayer.  In which case I have to say
there's
> a grain of truth. And the truth hurts.  And it's not " a good thing."
> 
> None of this should be taken as criticism of histotechs and
pathologists
> who find themselves working in an in-office lab. I know there's bills
to
> pay, families to take care of, and god knows it's hard for a
pathologist to
> find a job these days with the numbers our residency programs keep
churning
> out (but that's another rant...).
> 
> Dan Schneider, MD
> Amarillo, TX
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 12:52 PM,  wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Histonetters:
>> 
>> In-office AP labs provide a valuable service to the practices they
serve
>> by facilitating 1) better communication between pathologists and
ordering
>> clinicians, 2) quality metrics that are practice-specific, and 3)
high
>> volume, sub-specialization for both histotechnologists and
pathologists.
>> In other words, the more of one type of histopathology a lab does
(e.g.,
>> skin, prostate, GI), the better it gets.  Most people would not think
of
>> having their cardiac bypass surgery done at a community hospital
doing
>> 50/year; you want to go where more than 500/year are done.  In
>> histopathology, the kinds of volume you want are in the thousands for
each
>> tissue type.  Many hospital labs do little skin or prostate histology
>> anymore.  Many sub-specialty in-office AP labs may do thousands of
cases of
>> one tissue type every year.
>> 
>> Aside from that, in-office AP labs are an emerging frontier of
employment
>> for histologists and pathologists.  In an era of high unemployment,
another
>> source of employment for our professions is "a good thing."
>> 
>> This requirement by an insurer for accreditation will help to
validate
>> these in-office AP labs' commitment to quality and put them on the
level
>> with their hospital counterparts.
>> 
>> John D. Cochran, MD, FCAP
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ___
>> Histonet mailing list
>> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/h

Re: [Histonet] Aetna and In-Office Lab Accreditation

[Nicole Tatum]

Money is at the root of all finicial decisions, in-house labs and
hospitals. There are many over utilization of resources within the health
care field. Many gallbladder surgerious are performed unneccesarly by
general surgeous who's practice are within hospitals walls. Tonsilectomy.
etc. How are those specimens not self reffered to the hospitals AP lab.
David you made the comment about specialities staying with there specialty
and not branching out. A dermatopathologist specializes in derm specimens
so why is it so far fetched that he would read derm specimens from all
sources, hospitals or in-house labs. My in-house lab has a higher turn
around rate, lower overhead, and cuts courier fees out. We also do a
service to our patients by allowing them one stop shopping. We can service
all there needs and they do not have to have multiple appointments at
different facilities. This cuts down on their copay and billing from
multiple doctors. Also, it would cost more for a person to have Mohs
surgery in a hospital setting. As we all know cost are higher at a
hospital because they have higher overhead. The hospital is self reffering
when they let a surgery center or group be affiliated with them. The
surgery center was allowed to join the hospital so the hospital could reep
the revenue generated and process their specimens. Either way, we are all
joined by a common form of employment, and one facility is not better than
another. My field provides jobs and creates revenue just like yours.
Insurance company are going to make changes to try and make revenue during
this change into "OBAMA CARE". Remeber we are not the enemy they are. Who
are they to dictate how my company runs. Insurance companies have to much
power and the decisions they force us to make do not always provide the
best patient care. And that is the ultimate goal for any provider, to give
best patient care right? This is just another hurdle we all must jump
through in these comming changes. I vote we stick together and try our
best to protect all our jobs. Wasnt that long ago that each of us we
trying to get pay increases and bring the importance of our jobs to the
fore front of pathology. The financial squeeze of the helath care system
is going to be felt by all. Histology, pathology, radiology, cytology, we
all must do our best to role with the punches and ensure quality care and
our incomes, as well as our field, reguardless of location.

Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP





 Thank you for that. How are things at Hartford Hospital? One of my
> favorite
> places, rotated there many years ago. Very impressive facility! Is Dr.
> Ricci still there?
> On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Richard Cartun 
> wrote:
>
>> This was released today.
>>
>> Richard
>>
>> Statline Special Alert:
>> New Evidence Links Self-Referral Labs to Increased Utilization, Lower
>> Cancer Detection Rates
>> Study co-funded by CAP Appears in April 2012 Issue of Health Affairs
>> April 9—Self-referring urologists billed Medicare for nearly 75% more
>> anatomic pathology (AP) specimens compared to non self-referring
>> physicians, according to a study published today in a leading health
>> care policy journal. Furthermore, the study found no increase in cancer
>> detection for the patients of self-referring physicians-in fact, the
>> detection rate was 14% lower than that of non self-referring
>> physicians.
>>
>> These findings, from an independent study co-funded by the CAP, provide
>> the first clear evidence that self-referral of anatomic pathology
>> services leads to increased utilization, higher Medicare spending, and
>> lower rates of cancer detection. The study, led by renowned Georgetown
>> University health care economist Jean Mitchell, PhD, will appear in the
>> April 2012 issue of Health Affairs and is now available on the
>> journal’s website.
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>> >>> Daniel Schneider  4/9/2012 4:47 PM >>>
>> This is all about the money. The rest is rationalization.
>>
>> The reason a group of non-pathologist physicians opens an in-house
>> pathology lab and hires an employee pathologist is first and foremost
>> to harvest profit from pathology reimbursement. Be a fly on the wall in
>> the
>> partners' meetings and you would know that's what they are talking
>> about.
>>
>> To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.
>>
>> And the implication that the generalist anatomic pathologist is
>> unqualified
>> to be signing out skins, prostates, GI's and whatever is
>> reprehensible.
>> This is not cardiac bypass surgery, and AP pathologists *are* trained
>> to do
>> all of the above. I eagerly defer to subspecialty expert consultants
>> as
>> needed, but most of the time they're not needed.
>>
>> Hospital labs that see few, if any skins, prostates, GI's, are only in
>> that
>> pickle because of the cherrypicking they've already been subjected to.
>>
>> *"in-office AP labs are an emerging frontier of employment for
>> 

Re: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

[abright]

Dear Sue,

Defiantly yes, it is much safer and more eco friendly. We supply a suitable 
dunking container with our Clin-RF as the specimens need to be contained to 
stop them floating in the 3M's fluid.

Best regards

Alan Bright
www.brightinstruments.com

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

-Original Message-
From: Sue Hunter 
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:38:12 
To: abri...@brightinstruments.com; Bob 
Richmond; 
histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
 Histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

Can you use the 3M freezing fluid in a histobath instead of isopentane?

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
abri...@brightinstruments.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 6:46 AM
To: Bob Richmond; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Histonet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

Dear Bob,

I would just like to point out that the recommended freezing fluid for the 
Bright Clini-RF Rapid -80c tissue freezer is 3M's Novec HFE-7100 not 7000 as 
you state. 

Best regards

Alan Bright
www.brightinstruments.com
Sent from my BlackBerry(r) wireless device

-Original Message-
From: Bob Richmond 
Sender: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 09:16:23
To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

Terri Bishop at SPScientific sent me an e-mail about HistoChill, a frozen 
section freezing bath that replaces the discontinued HistoBath.
Terri didn't feel it was appropriate for a vendor to post this directly on 
HistoNet, so I am. You can contact Terri Bishop at terri.bis...@spscientific.com

HistoChill has been available for about a year. You can see the brochure at 
http://www.spscientific.com/Air-Stream-/-Baths-/-Chillers-/-Traps-/-Probes.aspx

I'm pleased that they are specifically recommending using 3M's non-flammable 
perfluorocarbon HFE-7000 coolant, and not isopentane or acetone. (I feel like 
I've struck a blow for lab safety!)

As has been noted on HistoNet before, Hacker Instruments offers Alan Bright's 
Clini-RF, a competing product.

I have no commercial connection with any of the companies I've mentioned, and I 
have no personal experience with either instrument.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


--

This message has been scanned and no issues discovered.
To report this email as SPAM, please forward it to s...@websense.com.


-- 
BEGIN-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS
--


Teach SpamSniper if this mail (ID 01GUbCehP) is spam:

Spam:
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GUbCehP&m=134cc5b01928&t=20120410&c=s

Not spam:
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GUbCehP&m=134cc5b01928&t=20120410&c=n

Forget vote: 
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GUbCehP&m=134cc5b01928&t=20120410&c=f
--
END-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

[Sue Hunter]

Can you use the 3M freezing fluid in a histobath instead of isopentane?

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
abri...@brightinstruments.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 6:46 AM
To: Bob Richmond; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Histonet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

Dear Bob,

I would just like to point out that the recommended freezing fluid for the 
Bright Clini-RF Rapid -80c tissue freezer is 3M's Novec HFE-7100 not 7000 as 
you state. 

Best regards

Alan Bright
www.brightinstruments.com
Sent from my BlackBerry(r) wireless device

-Original Message-
From: Bob Richmond 
Sender: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 09:16:23
To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

Terri Bishop at SPScientific sent me an e-mail about HistoChill, a frozen 
section freezing bath that replaces the discontinued HistoBath.
Terri didn't feel it was appropriate for a vendor to post this directly on 
HistoNet, so I am. You can contact Terri Bishop at terri.bis...@spscientific.com

HistoChill has been available for about a year. You can see the brochure at 
http://www.spscientific.com/Air-Stream-/-Baths-/-Chillers-/-Traps-/-Probes.aspx

I'm pleased that they are specifically recommending using 3M's non-flammable 
perfluorocarbon HFE-7000 coolant, and not isopentane or acetone. (I feel like 
I've struck a blow for lab safety!)

As has been noted on HistoNet before, Hacker Instruments offers Alan Bright's 
Clini-RF, a competing product.

I have no commercial connection with any of the companies I've mentioned, and I 
have no personal experience with either instrument.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


--
BEGIN-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS
--

Teach SpamSniper if this mail (ID 01GTNjypu) is spam:
Spam:
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GTNjypu&m=00c557cef5d5&t=20120409&c=s
Not spam:
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GTNjypu&m=00c557cef5d5&t=20120409&c=n
Forget vote: 
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GTNjypu&m=00c557cef5d5&t=20120409&c=f
--
END-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS

This message has been scanned and no issues discovered.
To report this email as SPAM, please forward it to s...@websense.com.

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

[abright]

Dear Bob,

I would just like to point out that the recommended freezing fluid for the 
Bright Clini-RF Rapid -80c tissue freezer is 3M's Novec HFE-7100 not 7000 as 
you state. 

Best regards

Alan Bright
www.brightinstruments.com
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

-Original Message-
From: Bob Richmond 
Sender: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 09:16:23 
To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] HistoBath, HistoChill, Clini-RF

Terri Bishop at SPScientific sent me an e-mail about HistoChill, a
frozen section freezing bath that replaces the discontinued HistoBath.
Terri didn't feel it was appropriate for a vendor to post this
directly on HistoNet, so I am. You can contact Terri Bishop at
terri.bis...@spscientific.com

HistoChill has been available for about a year. You can see the brochure at
http://www.spscientific.com/Air-Stream-/-Baths-/-Chillers-/-Traps-/-Probes.aspx

I'm pleased that they are specifically recommending using 3M's
non-flammable perfluorocarbon HFE-7000 coolant, and not isopentane or
acetone. (I feel like I've struck a blow for lab safety!)

As has been noted on HistoNet before, Hacker Instruments offers Alan
Bright's Clini-RF, a competing product.

I have no commercial connection with any of the companies I've
mentioned, and I have no personal experience with either instrument.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


-- 
BEGIN-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS
--

Teach SpamSniper if this mail (ID 01GTNjypu) is spam:
Spam:
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GTNjypu&m=00c557cef5d5&t=20120409&c=s
Not spam:
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GTNjypu&m=00c557cef5d5&t=20120409&c=n
Forget vote: 
http://admin.spamsniper.co.uk/canit/b.php?i=01GTNjypu&m=00c557cef5d5&t=20120409&c=f
--
END-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet